The River Don: Facts About the River in Aberdeenshire

The River Don is located in north-east Scotland. Its source is in Ladder Hills in the Grampians and it flows into the North Sea at Aberdeen.

Facts About the River Don

  • The River Don flows past Alford, Kemnay, Inverurie, Kintore, and Dyce.
  • Water from the north of Brown Cow Hill drains into the River Don, water from the west of Brown Cow Hill flows into the River Dee, and water from the west side of Brown Cow Hill flows into the River Spey.
  • The River Don flows past the Corgarff Castle.
  • Its main tributaries are Conrie Water, Ernan Water, Deskry Water, Kindy Burn, Mossat Burn, and River Ury.
  • The River Don is 132 km (82 miles) long.
  • The river is well-known for its salmon fishing. It also is home to brown trout and sea trout. April and May are the best months for trout fishing in the Don. Other species of fish in the Don include eels, lamprey, and pike.
  • The River Don’s drainage catchment is more than 1300 square km.
  • Cock Bridge spans the River Don on the road from Ballater to Grantown-on-Spey.
  • Old Persely Bridge was opened in 1892, and it spans the River Don on Aberdeen’s northern outskirts.
Bridge of Don
Bridge of Don
  • The Bridge of Don is another bridge over the River Don. Built between 1827 and 1830, it is made of granite and located in Aberdeen. The bridge has five arches, and it is now 23 metres long.
Brig o' Balgownie
Brig o’ Balgownie
  • Old Aberdeen’s the Brig o’ Balgownie (the original Bridge of Don) was built to span the River Don in the 13th century. Made from granite and sandstone, it is 17 metres long.
  • The River Don and the Brig o’ Balgownie feature in the Lord Byron poem Don Juan.

Visit our Rivers resources page, or learn more about the other longest rivers in Scotland.